So you say you have a small liveable space and are having problems decorating and furnishing it? No problem. We have listed some simple tricks you can do to make your space look bigger and maximize its potential.
6 Simple Tips and Tricks for Small Spaces
1. Establish distinct zones.
Houses have areas clearly marked out with doors, walls, and other dividers. Smaller condo and apartment units, however, are a different matter. Rooms serve multiple functions and purposes due to limited space.
A simple solution is to use furniture, area rugs, colors, and materials strategically to create distinct zones in your condo. For instance, have a dedicated long table or console beside your entertainment system and paint the wall behind it in a different color. This could be your makeshift office space.
2. Make the most of sightlines.
By definition, a sightline is an unobstructed view or line of sight (thus the term) between an object of interest and the viewer. In simpler terms, it is about perspective in interior design.
Create spaces that look outwards and not inwards. Create more open space by removing doors and walls that block your view. If privacy is a concern, you can use interior sliding glass doors instead of the typical plush or panel doors. This way, you can use that extra space that the door’s swing takes up and you still let a good amount of light in
Get pieces of furniture that do not interrupt your line of sight — couches with legs, see-through tables, floating shelves, and other similar pieces.
3. Go for harmony.
Have some sort of unifying theme in your unit. Decors that have the same style or theme helps keep a sense of calm and order in any space, most especially a small one.
Color is another way of creating harmony in small spaces. Choose colors that complement each other and work well together. Your choice of materials and furnishings also help tie in spaces to make it more visually aesthetic.
4. Visual tricks.
Mirrors are great visual enhancers in any space, big or small. It reflects light and outdoor scenery effectively and efficiently creating the illusion of a much larger space.
Big picture windows also make a small space appear bigger since it minimizes borders, sort of, and gives you a clearer and unobstructed view of what’s outside.
5. Furnish with multi-functional furniture.
Since space is scarce, how you make use of the little you have matters a lot. As far as furniture is concerned, it is recommended you get multi-purpose pieces, especially ones that can double as storage.
6. Make use of all the vertical spaces.
Small cramped spaces usually have limited lateral space for storage and display. Make use of all the walls and vertical spaces. Open shelves can be used as storage and display pieces as well as space dividers. The space above doorways can still hold pieces of artwork or home accessories. All it takes is a little creativity and resourcefulness.
Smaller spaces are usually harder to dress up but with a little know-how and creativity, you can successfully pull it off. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean you can’t live large.
